Three tips from Leafs-Blues: Nylander’s sensational goal could be a turning point, Stecher’s excellent debut

During the opening minutes of the game, Nylander inexplicably knocked a puck into Joseph Woll’s net for the game’s opening goal. Nylander had no real response to the mistake afterwards, only noting that he apologized to Woll, which was graciously accepted.

Matthew Knies was ruled out an hour before the match. Berube later explained that Knies was dealing with an ongoing injury, and told Sammy Blais to remain on standby after Tuesday morning’s skate. Blais left the match during the third period and Berube revealed afterwards that he was coughing up blood.

“I thought we fought hard,” Berube said after the match. “The boys were competitive. I thought our control play was pretty good for most of the game. We managed the game well. We really enjoyed our first period. Woll was really good. We had a lot of guys who are new and haven’t played yet, but I thought they did well.”

Here are three takeaways from the Maple Leafs’ 3-2 win over the Blues:

William Nylander’s sensational goal could be a turning point for the Maple Leafs

William Nylander scored one of the best goals of the 2025-26 NHL calendar, which could be a turning point for the Maple Leafs. It’s too early to count out the Maple Leafs and Nylander has an uncanny ability to respond to challenges that arise during the regular season. After scoring an own goal in the first period, it’s only fitting that Nylander came away with a sensational goal.

Nylander took a pass from Morgan Rielly, waltzed around Dylan Holloway and then dangled Jordan Binnington from his skates for the overtime win. It was Nylander’s ninth goal of the season, and at the time of this filing he ranks third in NHL scoring. John Tavares did an excellent job fending off three Blues defenders on the wall before the puck broke free from Rielly.

“I told the team because that’s what he’s all about,” Berube said. “And that play there is symbolic of John Tavares: 3-on-1, keeps the puck alive. Morgan comes in quickly and makes a play. And Willy does what he does.”

Nylander didn’t always dictate play at 5-on-5 and wanted to pick his spots. He couldn’t have picked a better time to show off his extraordinary skills while remaining cool, calm and collected. It’s just one moment in one game, but remember this moment as the Leafs achieve their lofty goals this season.

“His personality is like a superpower,” Joseph Woll said of Nylander after the game.

Troy Stecher was perhaps the best player in his Leafs debut

“Good game, skated, moved the puck well,” Berube said after the game. “Competitive. Everything we know about him, but I really liked his feet tonight. I thought he was aggressive and moved his feet really well.”

“Troy Stecher, when he came to a new team, was outstanding,” Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe said. “Just balancing the puck, skating. Just simple play. It made a difference. He gave us a little spark on the back end. He was vocal too. He’s not a young guy coming in here, he’s been there. We want to make sure he’s comfortable here. I can’t speak highly enough of him because he was outstanding tonight.”

“Troy was great tonight,” Maple Leafs forward Steven Lorentz said. “Mobile defenseman, undersized, but he’s not afraid to get into those corners and he wins puck battles. Stay with the puck, just get guys’ bodies and take their hands away, it was great to see. We’re really happy to have him.”

You don’t want to categorize a No. 6 defenseman as a star or exploit expectations, but Stecher has a chance to make a real impact for the Maple Leafs, and he used his speed and tenacity to great effect against the Blues.

Easton Cowan and Jacob Quillan make the most of the increased opportunities

Cowan was assertive throughout the match and narrowly missed what would have been the best goal of his young career. The 20-year-old danced around Philip Broberg in the neutral zone, flew into the attacking zone and fired a shot off the post. Cowan shook his head on the bench afterward, but he was the best player on his line and the Leafs controlled 71 percent of expected goals when he was on the ice, trailing only Stecher and Max Domi.

As for Quillan, he is scheduled to play Thursday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was tenacious throughout the game, throwing hits and using his speed to create separation throughout the game.

“Quill looked great tonight,” Maple Leafs forward Steven Lorentz said after the game.

“I think he’s made a step, too. For a young kid, it’s only his second (NHL career game). The guys were really excited for him. He was all over the ice. Center is not an easy position to play in this league and to be able to play a handful of minutes tonight, he played more than a handful of minutes. He seemed comfortable there. He was taking pucks from the middle of the ice, which can be overwhelming as a young guy, but he’s got to show that maturity in his demeanor.” game, it’s great to see.”

Berube also appeared to strengthen his pre-match assessment after the 3-2 win.

“Last year, into this year, a lot of growth, from what I saw in the game tonight. Comfortable and confident in his game. His speed is dangerous, he got behind the D a few times. Overall I thought he was a pretty good player for us tonight,” Berube said of Quillan after the game.